In the viral video below, former world champion kickboxing and Bellator fighter Joe Schilling was filmed knocking out a drunk man in a bar in 2021.
Despite the altercation being caught on camera, Schilling was exonerated of battery after knocking Justin Balboa unconscious in a Fort Lauderdale, Florida bar.
He claims that it was self defense.
Check it out:
MMA Fighter Knocks Man Out After Bumping Into Him pic.twitter.com/Z8bLBqJjqX
— Crazy Clips (@crazyclips_) January 21, 2024
In watching the video, it does not appear to be self defense to me.
However, Schilling accused Balboa of using racial slurs, and described it as a life-threatening incidence that left him no choice other than to take physical action.
MMA News reports:
Balboa and his legal team sued Schilling for battery and negligence due to the altercation. On Thursday, nearly two years after the incident, a Florida judge ruled that Schilling acted in self-defense under the state’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law.Schilling’s attorney, David Katz, issued the following statement after the ruling.
Meh. Seemed like he hit a normal fella and could’ve killed him. Should dontime imo.
— John O’SHA-256 (@Paddy21m) January 22, 2024
“This is a complete and total victory for Schilling who was widely criticized on social media after this incident occurred,” Katz said in a recent statement. “It is also a lesson to those looking to make a quick buck by causing problems and claiming damages. Florida law protects those who are forced to protect themselves and their loved ones and our law firm is here to make sure those who are forced to defend themselves do not suffer further in our legal system either by wrongful arrest or wrongful civil actions such as this case.”
What do you think? Did Schilling go overboard or did Balboa have it coming?
That was extreme overkill. The MMA fighter did not feel threatened in the least. He definitely should have done time for the cheap shot assault.
He went over board
The scum needs to be charged with Assault and an intent to murder, as his fists are weapons and the man did nothing to him.
I think I should find Joe Schilling and walk him home just to make sure he gets there OK.
BTW: The Judges sucked something that creates babies, to take this as SELF PROTECTION. Additionally it was a Right and a Left not just a punch
That guy looks like he needs anger management.
Yea pretty sure the guy did not deserve it Not how Chuck Norris would have handled it.